Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has paid an emotional tribute to former chairman Freddy Shepherd at his funeral on Saturday.

Shearer enjoyed a number of memorable moments and spoke about their close relationship during their time together at St James' Park.

The former England skipper also spoke about Shepherd being a father and a grandfather and will never forget the impact he had on his career, when they first met back in 1996 when he completed his move to Newcastle.

According to the Chronicle , Shearer said they formed a close personal relationship, as well as a professional bond.

He thanked the Newcastle-born tycoon for persuading him to come home - as he told the assembled crowd, it had been “no secret” that “another major club” was vying for him at the time.

Alan Shearer arrives at the church (Image: PA)

Shearer said: “I left 10 years later with him as my great friend. Playing for my club, breaking the goal-scoring record, living my dream - I can thank Freddy for all of that.

“And then, when I retired he made me a promise that I would one day have a statue at St James’ Park - although, I sat headless in his warehouse for nine years.”

He said the statue, now standing outside the stadium, would stand as a “permanent reminder” of Mr Shepherd’s pride in Newcastle United.

Emotion filled the former striker’s voice as he said goodbye to a man he said was a “huge part” of his life.

“He will always be a huge part of my life, and I will be forever grateful to him for bringing me back home.

Alan Shearer pays emotional tribute to Freddy Shepherd (Image: PA)

“We will miss you, Mr Chairman - we will miss you, Freddy.”

Former business partner Sir John Hall also addressed the congregation of more than 500, including top footballers and former Toon legends, with tales of his time alongside Mr Shepherd at the head of Newcastle United.

He recalled the moment Mr Shepherd brought Shearer back home, to the delight of Tyneside.

“I remember the day Freddy brought Alan to the club,” he said. “There were twelve and a half thousand people at the club, it was wonderful - I have this picture of [Freddy] with Alan on the podium, and twelve and a half thousand people cheering.”

Wayne Rooney arrives for the funeral service (Image: PA)

He said when they began, the club’s finances had been in a bad state, and that at first they “didn’t know how to run a football club”. They turned things around, with Newcastle enjoying some huge successes under their leadership, which he said “lifted Tyneside”.

But Sir John said the pair realised that they “never owned” Newcastle.

He said: “It was the fans club, we were just the custodians. It was a tremendous responsibility that Freddy and I had.”

Newcastle East MP Nick Brown also spoke of Mr Shepherd’s love for the Magpies, calling his life “a long journey for the boy who sat with his father and brother in seats 46, 47, and 48 many years earlier”.

And Newcastle supporters have also showed their affection for the former boss: last Sunday, at a game against Liverpool which the Shepherd family attended, he was honoured with a standing ovation as the stadium which he helped to extend erupted into applause.